So you’re the brand new owner of a tropical dream house that takes up residence on pristine, crystal shores. You get to wake up every morning to the smell of sea salt and a view that millions vacation to see each and every year. A beach house is the perfect investment for those who crave […]

So you’re the brand new owner of a tropical dream house that takes up residence on pristine, crystal shores. You get to wake up every morning to the smell of sea salt and a view that millions vacation to see each and every year. A beach house is the perfect investment for those who crave a tranquil alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city, who don’t mind the feeling of sand under their toes, or anywhere else (because, trust me, it will get everywhere). But now that you have the key and a lease in your name to this gorgeous house, it raises the question: what to put inside of it? Fortunately for you, this guide will provide a plethora of chic ideas to make your house as flawless on the inside as the natural landscape surrounding the outside.

Tip One: Go for a maritime-inspired bathroom

Embody a shipwrecked vibe in your bathroom with a collection of seascapes, a navy-colored tub, and framed treasure maps on the wall. For a cute pop of color, get some glass vases and fill them with sand (a short walk from your house!) and colored shells in an easy, DIY project.

Tip Two: Water-proof your furniture

Since you live so close to the water now, make sure your furniture can stand up against guests who are soaked in ocean water and sand. Consider subbing out regular couches and chairs for ones made of rattan, wicker, and bamboo. It’ll add more to the beachy look!

Tip Four: Nautical and Seascape Wallpaper

Budget-Saving Tip: Instead of spending more money per-foot of nautical wallpaper, which can soar into the hundreds of dollar range, just get nautical anchor stickers and apply them to any wall for the same effect.

Tip Five: Turquoise Accents

Bring home momentos of the sea with pops of turquoise in your beach cottage. Whether it be through a throw pillow, a shaggy carpet, or a pop of unexpected color in a hidden nook somewhere, you’ll definitely up your coastal quotient.

Budget-Saving Tip: Pick up some cute blue pillows from Walmart for under $10. They also have economically-priced shag rugs.

]]>https://www.beycome.com/blog/beach-cottage-decor/feed/0Unusual Houses Around The World: 5 Of The Most Incredible and Unique Home Designs You’ll Ever Seehttps://www.beycome.com/blog/5-unique-incredible-houses/
https://www.beycome.com/blog/5-unique-incredible-houses/#respondThu, 09 Aug 2018 19:57:47 +0000https://www.beycome.com/blog/?p=52018

For most of us, we’ve only known traditional houses comprised of stucco and brick, of basic doors and windows. But could you imagine living in a house entirely made of glass? Or a house shaped like a toilet bowl? I know, it seems like something out of a sci-fi movie. But these cool houses around […]

For most of us, we’ve only known traditional houses comprised of stucco and brick, of basic doors and windows. But could you imagine living in a house entirely made of glass? Or a house shaped like a toilet bowl? I know, it seems like something out of a sci-fi movie. But these cool houses around the world actually exist, making it as much a place to live as it is a work of art.

The Glass House in Tokyo

Designed by Sou Fukimoto Architects, also known as House NA, this residence exudes a cool, futuristic vibe. The interior boasts absolutely no walls, every inch of the house on display for the world, leaving very little to the imagination–literally. So if you’re the type of person that enjoys some degree of privacy, maybe this isn’t the house for you. But the house also boasts a plethora of awesome aspects that might change your mind. The architecture is supposed to represent the whimsicality of the tree you used to climb as a child, segmented structure breaking into three floors that can be enjoyed with friends, just like being perched upon a tree branch.

The Keret House

Welcome to the world’s skinniest house. Located in Warsaw, Poland, the architecture of this house was first seen as impossible. After all, how feasible was it to build a house with its widest point being only 122 centimeters (4.002 feet)? However, Jakub Szczesny’s vision came to life three years later. On top of an aesthetically pleasing design, though perhaps a little triggering for the claustrophobics, this house has a historical message: it was built between two historical periods, the narrow infill representing the past and present of Warsaw. The Keret House serves as the prime resting location for traveling writers!

FallingWater

Sectioned away in your own slice of reality, in the midst of southwestern Pennsylvania’s secluded forests, resides this ethereal house. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, this residence was completed in 1937 and remains suspended over a 30-foot waterfall. Maintaining the theme of flora and fauna, the interior also mimics the nature in which surrounds it, the 5300-square foot home’s walls and floors comprised of local sandstone. Each bedroom has its own terrace that welcomes in gorgeous views of Mother Earth, and there’s even a glass hatch on the ground floor that reveals stairs leading down to the stream below.

The Heliodome

The Heliodome is a bioclimatic solar home near Strasbourg, Eastern France, and was designed to replicate a giant, three-dimensional sundial, set on a fixed angle in relationship to the sun’s movements. Amazingly enough, this house keeps the temperature cool during the summer months, and warms the living space in the winter, fall and spring by having the sunlight enter through its large windows as the sun’s position is lower in the sky.

Although there’s a lot to love about the summer season, but the warm temperature and heavy rains give way to an influx of mosquitoes making the season not so enjoyable. While you plan fun outdoor activities for you and your family the entire winter season, you would hate it if mosquitoes keep you from bringing […]

Although there’s a lot to love about the summer season, but the warm temperature and heavy rains give way to an influx of mosquitoes making the season not so enjoyable.

While you plan fun outdoor activities for you and your family the entire winter season, you would hate it if mosquitoes keep you from bringing your plans into action when summer finally arrives!

To keep these annoying, buzzing mosquitoes away from your home, not to mention avoid the potential health risks that come with their itchy bites; you need to take precautionary measures. You don’t want to spend your summer running after mosquitoes with a spray repellent in your hand!

We know that preventing and fighting mosquitoes is a continual process as summer is the official mosquito season. But preparing your home for it can make things lot easier for you later.

Here are ten effective ways to prepare your home for mosquito season.

First things first, get rid of breeding grounds

Your first line of prevention against mosquitoes should be the elimination of their breeding grounds. These pesky insects usually hatch in open water. So you need to make sure that there are no rain gutters, buckets, boats, pet food bowls, or low ground areas with sitting water in them. Mosquitoes do not require a deep pool of stagnant water to lay eggs – even a bottle cap full of water will be enough for them!

Moreover, do not take forever to fix leaks as they might lead to small puddles. Any water that stands for more than a week will be an ideal breeding place for mosquitoes – do not let these insects enjoy this comfort.

Plant these natural repellents in your home to get rid of mosquitoes, and enjoy a worry-free summer with your family!

Let mosquito predators feed on them

Mosquito predators, such as ducks, chickens, frogs, and fish will also help you in fighting mosquitoes. They will eat the annoying bloodsuckers and thus, keep their population in control. Although this technique will not eliminate all the mosquitoes, it will surely prove helpful along with other methods.

Use citronella candles

Citronella candles are known for keeping mosquitoes away. Light up a few and set them around whilst you enjoy reading a book in your favorite corner of the house or before you go to bed. These candles will make sure that the mosquitoes leave you and your family members alone while you enjoy a deep, peaceful slumber.

Fit the doors and windows with a screen

To restrict mosquitoes from entering your home completely, make sure every door and window is properly fitted with mesh screens. These screens keep mosquitoes and other insects at bay while allowing you to enjoy the warm summer breeze in the safety of your home.

Look out for any small gaps

Even after fitting mesh screens everywhere, we suggest you look closely for small gaps or holes. No matter how tiny space is mosquitoes will find their way through them. Thus, use small patches of mesh screen or silicone to close up all the gaps to not let mosquitoes sneak in.

Blocking these gaps and holes is very important; otherwise, there is no point of screening the doors and windows.

Use mosquito netting

You can never be too careful when it comes to taking preventive measures against mosquitoes. Use mosquito netting on top of beds and cribs to protect yourself and your family from these blood-sucking insects. This will serve as an additional safeguard during the night when you would not want to wake up itching yourself from a mosquito bite.

Throw out unnecessary items

Getting rid of things that you barely use, let alone touch is certainly a sensible thing to do when preparing your home for mosquito season. Look around your home for any old tires, unused toys of your kids, and other objects that may hold water, as they will be a breeding haven for mosquitoes.

Throwing out all unnecessary items means providing mosquitoes no place to lay eggs.

Focus on maintaining your front yard

Maintaining a well-kept yard is yet another way to prepare your home for mosquito season. Several treatment options are available when it comes to applying something to the yard to combat an army of mosquitoes. This will ensure minimum mosquito presence around your home.

In addition to this, look for any dips in your yard that can possibly become puddles in rainy weather, and fill and level them off. Another crucial thing to consider is installing bubblers that do not allow water to stand in ponds. Also, introducing mosquito-feeding fish in the pond will serve as an amazing natural preventive measure.

Use mosquito repelling products

To protect yourself from a mosquito bite, consider applying the lemon balm, basil, or catnip on the skin. Reapply after every few minutes when it dries off. Moreover, remember not to use perfumed soap and shampoo because mosquitoes tend to get attracted to perfumes.

You would not want to invite them to bite you now, would you?

Conclusion

Mosquitoes are not only annoying but are also harmful to your health given they feed on your blood. Prevention of these insect vampires is important to nip a mosquito infestation in the bud – it is needless to say that this is always a smart move!

With summer season coming ahead, you should take some preventive measures to prepare your home, such as screening the doors and windows, using mosquito-repelling plants, animals, and products, sleeping in mosquito nets, cleaning your house for any extra junk, taking care of your front garden, and most importantly not giving mosquitoes a suitable breeding site.

These natural means of prevention will allow you to have a mosquito-free home so that you can enjoy with your family because that is what summer season is meant for!

What Is the MLS? Are you thinking of selling your home? A proven tool in home marketing is the Multiple Listing Service or MLS. This service is used by professional real estate agents and brokers to showcase homes for sale. Each home listing includes extensive information about the features of the home, as well as […]

What Is the MLS?

Are you thinking of selling your home? A proven tool in home marketing is the Multiple Listing Service or MLS. This service is used by professional real estate agents and brokers to showcase homes for sale. Each home listing includes extensive information about the features of the home, as well as photographs and sometimes videos of the property.

What Are the Benefits of Using the MLS?

The MLS is viewed online and streams homes for sale to buyers all over the world. Once a home listing is active (for sale) on the MLS, it is syndicated to multiple real estate websites reaching millions of potential buyers (e.g., Zillow, Trulia, HomeFinder, Redfin, Realtor.com, to name a few).

Who is Allowed to Use the MLS?

Customarily, you need to hire a professional broker or real estate agent to enjoy the benefit of listing on the MLS. These professionals earn commission by marketing your home for sale on the MLS. The MLS has been a proven tool in the real estate industry for decades.

How Can I Use the MLS Without A Real Estate Agent?

The good news is, beycome is an innovative service designed to help you learn how to list on the MLS without a real estate agent. beycome has already saved its users over 14.5 million to date, and that figure is growing every day. Home sellers who use a website that facilitates for sale by owner (FSBO) transactions reap the benefits of worldwide exposure to millions of buyers, without the substantial cost of a real estate agent. beycome is a licensed Florida Real Estate Brokerage Corporation. With beycome you have the freedom to list your home on the MLS databases all over Florida!

Is the MLS Complicated to Use?

There is nothing complicated. If you want to learn how to list on the MLS beycome offers a one-stop solution right at your fingertips in the comfort of your own home or office. beycome’s many satisfied customers don’t need to labor over the Handbook on Multiple Listing Policy 2018. The knowledgeable beycome staff and user-friendly software provide a clear path to success. Would you believe you can enjoy learning how to list on the MLS within one business day? Well, you can with beycome!

How Much Does It Cost to Use the MLS with beycome?

At beycome, you decide how much you want to spend. beycome created three effective listing packages that provide a lot of benefits for a reasonable price. In addition to learning how to list on the MLS, you can choose a package that includes home flyers, yard signs, a lock box, photographs and even videos!

Once you choose one of the three, first-rate listing package options, you’ll be happy to know; there are no hidden fees with beycome. By using the sensational technology provided, consumers can easily do all the work previously done by a real estate agent for one low-priced, pre-determined fee. Even updates to your MLS listing are free!

You can learn how to list on the MLS in as little as one business day. Your listing will not expire. Your property will remain active (for sale) on the MLS until you close or cancel the home listing.

How Can I Use beycome to Sign Up for the MLS?

There is a short questionnaire to complete that will only take a minute or two. You will need to provide the property address and contact info as well as more detailed information (e.g., square footage of the home, lot size and lot unit (acre, etc.). Submit Your Property to beycome

Complete the MLS specific questionnaire – here’s where detail counts! Plan to include as much specific information as possible about your home for sale. Did you upgrade an item like adding a new A/C unit? That’s important info! You will want to paint as complete a picture as possible for your potential buyer so, don’t leave those little details out.

Complete payment – have your credit card on hand

Learn How to List on MLS and GET LISTED in as little as ONE business day

Are you getting excited about learning how to list on the MLS?

Have you considered the worldwide exposure your property will receive once you learn how to list on the MLS? Better yet, are you thinking about all the money you can save by working directly with beycome to list on MLS?

How To Hit a Home Run With Your Sale!

There is a creative marketing side to managing your home sale. It’s not all about the numbers. It’s also about standing out from the crowd and showcasing your home in the best possible light. Buyers have many homes to consider in their search. There are ways you can increase your chances of grabbing the attention of buyers.

With their extensive knowledge of real estate marketing and sales, the expert team at beycome has already designed a clear, easy-to-use system for learning how to list on the MLS. Now it’s your turn to make the most of your MLS listing.

The Price is Right!

Don’t blow your market debut with a pie-in-the-sky price. Of course, you want to leave room for negotiation but, keep it reasonable. If you price your home too high, area buyers will get discouraged, and the listing will experience less and less activity until it becomes cold. Research supports the faster a home sells, the higher a price that home sells for so; keep this in mind. When buyers see a home lingering on the market, they smell blood and here come the low offers! Pricing your home accurately albeit, a bit optimistically when it debuts on the market, is essential. You can easily learn how to price your home so it sells for top dollarjust like a professional real estate agent. Also, be sure to check out your competition. Existing homes for sale influence the value of your home. If your neighborhood has many homes on the market, you’ll need to be savvy to even the playing field. This is not the time to be overly confident. If your neighborhood has few homes for sale, this gives you a bit more room to price the home on the higher end.

Set the Stage!

There are trade secrets to help you make the most out of your home for sale. Professionals use techniques for maximizing furniture layout and enhancing design elements called staging. By properly staging the home, you set the stage for the buyer’s imagination. Clarifying the use of rooms so buyers understand how they might live in the home is imperative. A dining room turned into a makeshift office will confuse buyers. A messy kitchen countertop covered in clutter hides the functionality of the kitchen and potentially the beauty of one of the most important rooms in a home. Clear out clutter and stage the home effectively, encouraging buyers to walk in the door and see themselves living there. These techniques are proven to work. You don’t need to go to the expense of hiring professionals. You will find a wide array of staging tipson line.

Don’t forget the importance of Curb Appeal! Your potential buyer’s first impression will be a lasting impression. Tidy up, spruce up and put out the Welcome mat! Check out inexpensive curb appeal ideasthat will add to your home’s value.

Say Cheese!

Are you interested in taking photographs of your property for sale? There are insider tricks and tips to help you take eye-catching listing photos. Say Cheese! Use a real estate photographer’s check list when taking photos and learning how to list on the MLS.

Are you eager to save a tremendous amount of money?

Are you ready to learn how to list on the MLS like a real estate professional?

The millions of dollars saved by beycome customers is increasing every day. Be part of this savvy trend and take control of your home sale. Trust beycome to teach you how to list on the MLS and substantially increase the profit from your home sale, not just by a few dollars but by thousands of dollars!

The increasing utility costs have become a headache for people. Although modern appliances make lives easier, they also increase the energy consumption in your home. It’s not easy to give up on this comfortable lifestyle. You should rather opt for energy-efficient systems to cut down on your expenses.

Here are some useful tips that will definitely help you reduce the energy consumption at your home:

Get Energy-Efficient Appliances

Electrical appliances such as the computer, refrigerator, security systems, and television play a major role in increasing your energy consumption. You should invest in modern systems that have low energy requirements.

Don’t overdo on the security of your home, or else you may end up paying a big chunk of your investment on their maintenance and energy costs. You can install basic alarm systems, security cameras, and door entry systems to keep burglars at bay and reduce the risk of accidents without increasing your energy consumption.

LED bulbs can also help you reduce your utility expenses. They can illuminate your home without burdening you with the expenses.

Turn Off the Lights

A bright space looks more attractive, but it also means the energy consumption at your home will increase. So, if you want to reduce your energy bills, you should learn to turn off unnecessary lights.

Make sure you don’t leave the lights turned on in your patio or outdoor space during the daytime when they aren’t needed. Before leaving for work, make it a habit to turn off the lights, fans and the heating or cooling systems. When the electronic appliances aren’t in use, disconnect them to decrease the energy consumption.

Install Vents

As the temperature rises, the energy consumption in your home may also increase. You may use cooling systems to regulate temperature indoors. You may set a low temperature to beat the heat. But keep in mind it also means you’ll end up increasing the energy consumption.

Similarly, during the cold winters, you may rely on heating systems to provide warmth. This will also lead to an increase in your expenses.

The most effective way to deal with this problem is to install vents. They will increase the airflow in your home, allowing the heating and cooling systems to maintain an optimal temperature indoors with minimal efforts. This will also reduce your utility expenses.

Manage Laundry

Many utility companies increase rates during the peak hours to effectively manage the power supply. You should do your laundry during the off-peak hours to avail discounts and cut down on the expenses. This way, you’ll be able to wash your clothes without breaking the bank.

If you use a dryer machine to dry the clothing, you’re using a significant amount of energy. If you have a garden or a balcony, you can dry your clothes in the outdoor space to save up on the costs. However, if it’s not convenient for you, you should use the drier during the off-peak hours.

Try Out PACE Program

As people get older, their health tends to deteriorate. It’s not easy for them to take care of themselves as well as maintain their houses. They can move into a nursing home or opt for home care.

PACE program targets the elderly who can’t take care of their health on their own. It facilitates them to receive medical care and home care services at low costs. Experienced professionals are there to provide medical assistance at your own home.

To be precise, you need not give up on the comforts of the modern life to reduce your expenses. Instead, it’s recommended to go for energy-efficient equipment that can effectively reduce the energy consumption.

The Charles LaDow House 10 Thurlow Ter, Albany, NY 12203 Listed for: $799,000 Designed by Ernest Hoffman in 1891, this gorgeous Romanesque-styled castle contains a plethora of features that’ll make you feel like royalty. Polished wood flooring, a mosaic fireplace, and an impressive staircase embellished with lavish, red carpeting are just a few […]

The Charles LaDow House

10 Thurlow Ter, Albany, NY 12203

Listed for: $799,000

Designed by Ernest Hoffman in 1891, this gorgeous Romanesque-styled castle contains a plethora of features that’ll make you feel like royalty. Polished wood flooring, a mosaic fireplace, and an impressive staircase embellished with lavish, red carpeting are just a few of the stunning qualities. Centered in Washington Park Lake, and just minutes away from downtown Albany, you won’t be sequestered from the action.

Fun Fact: This castle has 8 unique fireplaces!

Chateau La Vie

7201 Dulany Dr, Mclean, VA 22101

Listed for: 10,800,000

Not tight on space, this castle spans 28,000 square feet with a whopping additional 2 ½ acres for your leisure. And for all the aficionados on timeless charm, enjoy amenities such as regal vaulted ceilings and sacred Corinthian columns. However, for those who love architecture that follows a more modern aesthetic, fear not! This castle has a fully contemporary kitchen decked out in stainless steel with sleek, black cabinetry.

Fun Fact: With a 10.8 million dollar listing price, this castle is the most expensive single-family property on the market in Virginia.

The Craigmuir Estate

22 N Garfield Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801

Listed for: 1,798,500

Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city in this quiet castle located in Wenatchee, a town in Central Washington with an estimated population of just over 33,000. Further find your zen in this beautiful 5-bed, 3-bath home with features such as pristine lawns, a heated salt water pool, and a serene rose garden. If you want to get your fitness on without actually leaving your house, this castle is conveniently furnished with its own gym.

Fun Fact: The granite used to build this castle was collected from Mount Index, a member of the Cascade Mountain Range, and was hand-crafted piece-by-piece on site.

Highland’s Castle

18 Skyline Dr, Bolton Landing, NY 12814

Listed for: 12,800,000

Capturing a fairy tail in real life, this castle is nestled in the flora and fauna of Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains. Perfect for those with large families, make any family gathering extra comfy with two additional guest cottages on the property. Additionally, for all the nature enthusiasts out there, this castle is only minutes away from the rustic town of Bolton Landing, where there are a plethora of outdoor activities available such as: kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, and more.

Fun Fact: This is one of the younger castles, built in 1986!

Wicklow Castle

143 Herrick Rd, Southampton, NY 11968

Listed for: 3,695,000

The epitome of romance, this castle contains lush, verdant greenery against a vibrant, red brick exterior. The castle also touts an exotic octagon pool house with guest room and bath, as well as a heated Gunite pool.

Fun Fact: In 1998, celebrity architect William Sofield bought the castle and has made many restorations since. Additionally, this castle is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Now you want to purchase a castle…but how?

It is worth finding a real estate company that sells luxury, historic property. A few companies based in the United States are:

Sotheby’s Realty

Christie’s International Real Estate

Your real estate agent. For example, Century21 and Re/Max have recently started offering historic listings such as castles.

But who’s to say you can’t build your own?

Castles can be hard to come by, especially when many other buyers want to own their own fairytale property. So why not build your own? Building a castle of your own can have many advantages: creative freedom, a solid structure based on modern building codes, and location flexibility being three large ones. Of course, one must consider the disadvantages as well. For one, you’ll need to find another place to live during the tedious building process, two, you might have to look into a construction company that specializes in castle-building, and three, of course you will not get to own an authentic, historical structure.

Fire accidents in residential properties are quite common. During 2010-14, one out of every 338 households in the US reported a fire accident per year. Due to the lack of safety measures, around 7 people lose their lives every day due to these accidents. Despite the increasing rate of fire accidents, not many homeowners find […]

Fire accidents in residential properties are quite common. During 2010-14, one out of every 338 households in the US reported a fire accident per year. Due to the lack of safety measures, around 7 people lose their lives every day due to these accidents.

Despite the increasing rate of fire accidents, not many homeowners find it important to install fire alarms or smoke detectors. As a result, they risk their lives and their belongings. In order to protect your family and your possessions, it’s best to install smoke detectors in your home at the earliest.

A smoke detector can alert you of the impending danger before a fire erupts. You should invest in a high-quality smoke detector system that can work effectively for long.

Here are some benefits of installing smoke detectors at your home:

It Can Prevent Fire Accidents

The best way to reduce the risk of fire accidents is to install smoke detectors at your home. These systems detect smoke and alert you in time. This way, you can evacuate the space and call emergency services to deal with the problem.

However, you shouldn’t forget the smoke detector after installing it. If you overlook its maintenance, the system may stop working and won’t be of any use when it’s needed the most.

It Helps You Protect Your Home

No one should ever go through the horrifying experience of seeing their house burning down. But fire accidents do happen frequently. Unless you take preventive measures, it won’t be easy for you to protect your family and your possessions.

Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors at your home. These devices make your home safe and can save lives.

It Gives You Peace of Mind

Home is where you can relax. But if you’re constantly worrying about safety threats such as burglars or fire accidents, you need to think of ways how you can mitigate the risk factors.

Most fire accidents and carbon monoxide poisoning accidents occur at night when people are sleeping. Installing smoke detectors can give you peace of mind and you can enjoy quality sleep.

Discounts on Insurance

Many states in the US oblige homeowners to get an insurance policy for their property. This way, you can get compensation to address the damages in case of an accident.

The more the risk of burglary and other accidents, the higher will be the premium. You can claim discounts by installing smoke detectors and fire alarms at your home. These safety measures depict that you’re prepared for any disastrous event.

Before buying an insurance policy, discuss with the insurance agent whether they offer such discounts to avoid any disputes down the line.

Real-Time Monitoring

What if you’re away from home and fire erupts at your residential property? Even if the smoke detectors and fire alarms are in optimal condition, you won’t be able to do anything to prevent fire accident. Your neighbors can inform emergency services about the accident, but it may be too late when they arrive.

It’s best to hire professional services for real-time monitoring of smoke detectors. When the systems detect smoke, the alarm will go off that will notify the professionals about the fire accident. They will take actions and call emergency services quickly to control the fire before it damages your entire property.

If you hire professionals to install the system, you can ask them about monthly or yearly contracts. Once you’ve signed a contract with the professional team, they will monitor the systems to protect your home as well as perform regular repair tasks to keep the systems in good shape for long.

Increase Property Value

When selling your house, you should get in touch with an appraiser to determine the current market value of your property. They analyze the condition of your property to guide you about the right price.

Security systems such as fire alarms and smoke detectors increase the value of a property. Knowing that the premise is secure and is equipped with security systems to prevent fire accidents, potential buyers are likely to show interest in buying your property at good rates.

Here are some useful tips that will help you make the most of smoke detectors:

Install the detectors on exposed surfaces so that they can easily detect smoke

Get high-quality smoke detectors

Acquire professional services for efficient installation of the system

Regularly check its batteries

Check the efficiency of the system from time to time

Replace smoke detectors every 10 years

Get in touch with professionals for real-time monitoring and maintenance of the systems

Conclusion

Installing smoke detectors is an effective way to protect your home from fire accidents. As it detects smoke, it’ll alert you immediately. You should evacuate your house and call emergency services to control fire.

Smoke detectors secure the space and help you protect your assets from the threat. It gives you peace of mind and increases the resale value of your property. Insurance companies also offer discounts on insurance policies if your home is equipped with fire alarm systems or smoke detectors.

It’s best to hire professionals for installation and maintenance of the systems. They will install the devices in an efficient way and repair or replace them as and when needed.

Buying smoke detectors and hiring professionals for their installation may seem a big investment, but the long-term benefits of these devices make up for the costs.

Selling your home is not as easy a job as it sounds – it takes effort and preparation to seal the best deal. After all, you would not want to just sell it; selling it fast at the best selling price is the goal, right? You invested a huge sum of money in the property […]

Selling your home is not as easy a job as it sounds – it takes effort and preparation to seal the best deal. After all, you would not want to just sell it; selling it fast at the best selling price is the goal, right?

You invested a huge sum of money in the property and you surely deserve to at least retrieve it, if not earn a profit. We know that you will prefer the latter option though – who does not love profits?

To sell your house for more, you need to make some wise decisions and plan everything beforehand. It is not all about putting your home up for sale at the market – there are some profound secrets to get top dollar!

We are revealing top ten secrets for attracting potential buyers and selling your home for the top price.

Hire a good real estate agent

Although hiring a real estate broker is not compulsory, you will be better off with one. Choose an agent who is not only experienced and aware of the market trends and the comps in your surrounding area but is also available and willing to coordinate whenever required.

Moreover, it is important to make sure the agent is always on the same page as you. If he is a tech-savvy then it will be a cherry on top, as he will use different tools to sell your house.

We recommend you to check references while searching for the perfect fit and go through their current listings to see if they have represented other houses well instead of hiring one blindly – a wrong broker can kill the sale!

Set a realistic price

Nobody will buy your house if you overprice it. Instead of being greedy for huge profits, you should set a realistic price for your home. An overpriced house will only scare away the potential buyers and leave you waiting forever!

Therefore, it is important to research the prices of similar houses for comparison and find out what your house is worth based on its condition. Cutting down the worth price by 10 to 15% will bring in a number of potential buyers with multiple bids. You will be surprised how they bid up the price over what your house is worth! You might find this strategy a bit risky but believe us when we say that it is perhaps the best secret to sell your house.

Organize the storage areas in the house

No buyer ever said no to more storage! By removing half of your belongings from the storage areas, such as closets, cabinets, pantries, and drawers, you can give the buyers the impression that your house offers large storage spaces. Also, do not forget to organize the remaining things in these storage areas because clean places look more spacious.

Keep your house as immaculate as possible

It is a no-brainer that you should keep your house clean and tidy during the selling period. Some buyers may visit the house on a short notice and they will not like a messy and disorganized place. Thus, you need to clean the floors, windows, walls, and furniture daily.

Moreover, make sure your house smells pleasant because bad odors will instantly turn the buyers off. Instead of covering bad smells with an air freshener, try finding where it is coming from.

In addition to this, light up your house as much as possible – buyers love the bright and cheery environment. You should consider taking down the curtains and changing the lampshades and light bulbs. Taking care of these simple things will make your house more sellable!

Renovate your kitchen

Renovate your kitchen as if the sale depends on its condition only. Upgrading your kitchen will bring multiple benefits in selling your home. The best part is that you are likely to get 85% of your money back.

To give your kitchen a modern luxurious look, all you need to do is paint it neutral and replace the old cabinets with new hardware. If a buyer falls in love with your kitchen, there are high chances that he will end up buying your house.

Do minor upgrades

The key is to keep the upgrades simple because minor fixes do pay off while major renovations do not. You need to handle minor repairs before putting up your house for sale. If there are any leaky faucets, loose doorknobs, stains, or holes in the walls, broken tiles, or sticking doors, you should deal with it ASAP. After all, no buyer will pay a high price for a poorly maintained property.

In addition to this, simple updates including a fresh coat of paint on the walls, new cheap yet presentable curtains, and replaced cabinet hardware go long way in impressing the buyers.

Depersonalize your house

This is yet another big secret for selling your home – a house that feels like home to you will not seem like home to the buyer. It is important to remove your personal stuff, such as family photos and store there somewhere. You should get rid of a third of your belongings so that the buyer can easily imagine himself living in the place.

Send your pets away on the tour day

While you may love to see your pets playing around in your home, the buyer might not necessarily be a pet lover. With your pet lying on the couch, a bowl of pet food on the floor, and the smell coming from the litter box, the buyer will simply deem your house to be unclean and unsanitary.

Considering this, it is better for you to send away your pets to a pet hotel for the day when the buyer is expected to visit your house. This is probably one of the most valuable secrets for selling your home.

Always be prepared to welcome the potential buyers

Another secret to selling your home is always being ready to show off your home to the buyers. A buyer can ask for a home tour any time of the day so you need to make sure that the house is presentable. Keep your bathroom clean and wash the dishes first thing after having a meal. Also, make sure that your dishwasher is always cleaned out. A home tour is an excellent opportunity to convince the buyer to buy your house, so make most of it by keeping your home in top-notch condition at all times.

Focus on your home’s exterior too

When a buyer takes a home tour, the foremost thing he will observe is the exterior of your house. If it is not up to the mark, you will not be able to make a sale even if the interior of your home is amazing. Thus, you should pay extra attention when it comes to the cleanliness of the area outside your home. You can also decorate the area with colorful flowers and plants to give positive vibes.

Conclusion

Selling your home can be a tough job if you do not know what buyers in general appreciate and what keeps them away. Doing zero efforts to sell your house will not attract even a single potential buyer, let alone sell it for a good price. From how to improve and maintain your home’s condition to sprucing up the exterior of the house, there are some simple yet amazing secrets, which will not only impress the buyers but also help you sell your house for the best price.

Home buying process can be quite daunting, especially if it is your first time. It may as well be challenging for frequent homebuyers because the real estate industry is constantly changing. You need to be very careful when buying a home and consider every little detail; otherwise, your dream of a perfect house can be […]

Home buying process can be quite daunting, especially if it is your first time. It may as well be challenging for frequent homebuyers because the real estate industry is constantly changing.

You need to be very careful when buying a home and consider every little detail; otherwise, your dream of a perfect house can be shattered in a snap!

Here are some secrets for buying a home, which will ensure that you get the house of your dreams and it is worth your hard-earned money.

Inspect the surrounding area

The house might be perfect for you but the neighborhood might not be. To save yourself the emotional exhaustion, make sure that you stalk the neighborhood before buying a home.

We suggest you visit the place at random hours both in the day and at night to get an idea of how things work in the neighborhood and look out for any security issue. Moreover, make sure you can deal with the traffic in the area on a daily basis. Also, find out how far or near is the grocery store and other essential services – you would not want to spend half of your day running errands.

You will regret skipping this step because no matter how great the house is if the surrounding area is not as great, it has no value.

Hire a house inspector

In addition to visiting the property yourself, consider benefitting from the services of a house inspector. It is perhaps the best way of getting a neutral, third-party opinion. However, remember that hiring a professional comes only after you have inspected the place yourself. If you do not like the house at all for any reason, you do not need to waste your money.

A house inspector will help you in deciding whether you should buy the house or not based on the information he will collect. If he finds a minor issue with the property, you can use it as a bargaining tool to lower the price of the house. This is certainly a valuable secret for buying a home for what it is worth.

Make your offer

While making the initial offer, keep two things in your mind: the price that you can afford and the worth of the house. You would not want to offend the seller by placing a bid that is too low for the house and neither would you like to outbid yourself by placing a bid that is too high for you.

One thing that will help you in making a reasonable offer is finding out the sale value of the neighboring houses. Moreover, remember that the more specific a bid is, the more likely the sellers are to take it seriously.

Do not make a heart-based decision

It is important to not involve your emotions while buying a home as they can cloud your judgment and you will end up making some bad financial decisions. Use your brain and make sure that you investigate everything instead of just buying a home because you like what you see – a beautiful house is not always a better house.

Buying a house means a big investment so choose wisely!

A budget for sleeper costs

While buying a house, you should not only be focusing on the mortgage payment – sleeper costs are equally important. Learn about property taxes, utilities, and homeowner association dues beforehand so there are no surprises later.

Moreover, as a new homeowner, you need to be prepared for the cost of repairs and maintenance, and potential increases in the property tax. Therefore, always make a budget for sleeper costs to get everything going your way.

Stop waiting for the perfect time

If you think you will figure out the best time to buy a house and hit the target, you might be wrong – you can never anticipate the housing market!

The perfect time to buy a house is when you find the perfect one that you can afford – that is it! The real estate is up now, it will be down later; this cycle continues. Thus, it is better to not wait for the perfect time because it will never come.

Do not obsess over a big house

Usually, the biggest and the most beautiful house in the neighborhood turn heads. However, not many people stand up for buying it. Hence, buying a big house will limit the potential buyers when you decide to re-sell it.

The secret to buying a home is to look for a small, affordable house that will fit your family and not cost you a fortune because it is likely to trade for more than a big house.

Get a property survey done

A property survey will make sure that you know exactly what you are investing in. When you know how much property you have, there will be no confusion when it comes to property tax. Moreover, being aware of your property lines means no potential dispute with your neighbors.

Get an approval for home loan beforehand

Another secret to buying a home is making sure that a lender has gone through all your financial information and made it clear how much he will lend you. This way you will be aware of how much you can afford and thus you will not end up wasting your time and efforts on properties that are out of your league.

It is also important to know all the details regarding home loan; junk fees, processing fees, and hidden charges, if any.

Use your money wisely

You should make sure that you do not make big purchases for up to six months before buying a home so that lenders see you as a reliable person and get you the best loan. If you move your money around too much and buy a lot of expensive items, it will be difficult for you to get a loan.

Conclusion

Buying a house is indeed a HUGE decision. It cannot only be an expensive purchase but also can take a lot of your precious time and efforts. Therefore, you should watch every step that you take to avoid falling into a pitfall.

These top secrets for buying a home will help you find the perfect place and seal the best deal possible so that you do not regret your decision any day of your life!

Just like most things, when it comes to buying a house, the majority of the people begin their search online – internet rules the modern world! Real estate portals have made things easy for investors and buyers by providing internet listings. These listings contain detailed information about the design and layout of the house, included […]

Just like most things, when it comes to buying a house, the majority of the people begin their search online – internet rules the modern world!

Real estate portals have made things easy for investors and buyers by providing internet listings. These listings contain detailed information about the design and layout of the house, included luxuries, and even the neighborhood.

An important aspect of these online listings is the photos of the property. While as a buyer you would want to see the place for yourself and make a decision only after complete inspection, you might want to view the listing photos first. After all, if you do not like what you see in the photos, why would you bother visiting the place at all?

Despite the importance of a virtual tour, the significance of a home tour cannot be ignored. Nothing compares the on-sight experience you get by visiting and inspecting the property yourself!

Having said that, the day on which you visit the house also holds a lot of importance. While many sellers will welcome you at their property on a weekend, you might want to ask them to shift the plan on a weekday during ‘off’ hours.

Why, are home tours during the ‘off’ hours better?

Here are five reasons that support an affirmative response to this question.

Get to see the location differently

Taking a home tour during ‘off’ hours will help you in understanding the location and surrounding of the property in a better way. Visiting the house on a weekend will not tell you what a typical day is like in the neighborhood, a weekday tour will.

A home visit in late evening can reveal the happenings in the area that follow darkness. Moreover, look out for security arrangements and if you find any issues, address your concerns to the homeowner. Safety and security is something that cannot be compromised – when it comes to buying a house, you would want to make sure the surrounding area is safe before you buy the place.

Experience light at different times of the day

Taking a home tour will allow you to know the orientation of the house – you might want to see which rooms face which direction and how comfortable you feel in each of them. It is important because the directions of the light entering the house also depend on it.

It is possible that you do not like how the beams of streetlights enter your living room brightening the place when you want to keep it dim at night. This can be quite a problem – you cannot keep the curtains drawn forever! Or perhaps you would not like the morning sun to wake you up with its scorching rays as soon as it is up.

Although things like these are minor, it is better to know every detail beforehand – some surprises are not very pleasant! Your preferences do matter a lot. After all, it is you who will be living in the house!

Check the measurements for yourself

Despite getting a general idea of the measurements of different rooms from the online listing, you might want to check them for yourself. It is not that you do not trust the listing information but measurements of some specific places that listing does not cover, such as closets, kitchen cupboards, and storeroom can be useful.

If you plan to convert one of the rooms to a small workplace or a mini gym, you would need to check the size of all the rooms and decide accordingly. A home visit during ‘off’ hours is suitable for this purpose, as it will let you inspect the place without any hurry or distractions.

Have a detailed experience with more time on hands

A proper inspection is only possible if you and the seller have enough time while you are on a home visit. Typically, multiple potential buyers visit the place on weekends and you might be kept from taking important notes and photos of the house amidst a huge crowd of people. Therefore, a weekday home tour is the way to go, as most probably you would have the entire place to yourself!

The personal and intimate experience that you will get during ’off’ hours will not be possible with all the coming and going of people in the house on a weekend. With some extra time on your hands, you can ask the otherwise-busy seller whatever questions you may have regarding the property and he will be able to hear you out and answer everything in detail.

Get an idea of traffic on the nearby streets

One of the most important issues that you should consider before buying a house is traffic around the place. You would not want to be stuck in traffic for long in the nearby residential streets after a long day at work now, would you?

Visiting the property on a weekday ensures that you get a clear idea of the traffic situation in the area – things are different when it is a Sunday! Thus, make arrangements for a home tour at peak hours to get a realistic idea of traffic. It is recommended to go around the time when you will probably be returning home from the office or going out to run errands.

Conclusion

Buying a house is a major investment and it definitely calls for an in-depth investigation of the property. You will not want to rush into things only to regret your decision later.

One of the essential tools that help you in making a decision you will not regret is home tours. The story, however, does not end here. A home visit to the property may still be of no to little use if you plan it on a weekend. While that is what most of the sellers offer, you should not hesitate to request them to reschedule it during ‘off’ hours. Doing so will be the first best decision you will make – the second will be deciding whether to buy the house or not after the home tour.

Therefore, always take home tours during ‘off’ hours to get a realistic idea of everything you need to consider before investing your hard-earned money – the location, neighborhood, interior design, amenities, measurements, traffic issue, and of course the security.